Vera Wang Lavender Label

Vera Wang has positioned her Lavender Label collection to be as recession-proof as possible. When the designer mentioned prices at the informal presentation she held in her 39th Street showroom on Friday, there were shrieks of joy from the assembled buyers. "It's a bit of mod mixed with medieval, and everything can be mixed and matched," Wang added. Key pieces included a blazer and an armorlike top made from a foam-backed, techno-quilted jersey, and embroidered satin tabards that were more King Street than King Arthur. A new footwear line that includes biker-inspired ankle boots with harnesses and oiled leather brogues, among other options, likewise offers high-end detail and construction at a very friendly price point.